Picture Credit: IPL
Mahendra Singh Dhoni is one such cricketer who has had an impact on many young cricketers. From his days as India captain to now playing for Chennai Super Kings, Dhoni always finds a way to help youngsters. He is a mentor figure for not only his teammates but cricketer from all around the country. Many young cricketers look at him for a piece of advice when they feel let down in their life. Rahul Tripathi was one such youngster.
Tripathi was lucky to make his IPL debut under MS Dhoni for Rising Pune Super Giants in 2017. In a recent interaction with News18, Tripathi talked about how MS Dhoni used to always interact with him when he was playing for Pune in 2017. Rahul also revealed that even after he left Pune, he always used to talk to MS Dhoni and how the former India skipper asked about what he (Tripathi) was doing. Tripathi also recalled a moment from the IPL 2021 final when KKR lost to Chennai super kings and Tripathi had suffered a hamstring injury.
The cricketer recalled how MS Dhoni consoled him after he failed to take his team over the line in the much-anticipated Final's clash. “I had a hamstring injury and therefore, I came in lower down the order. I couldn’t score runs, I was really struggling to run between the wickets. After I got out, Mahi bhai tapped on my back and said: “Koi nai, aj tumhara day nahi tha, But tune hundred percent try kiya”(It wasn’t your day, but you gave your hundred percent). I was feeling very down since we lost the final, but Mahi bhai came after the game also and spoke to me for a minute or so.” Tripathi said.
Tripathi to play for SRH in IPL 2022
Tripathi was the hero for KKR in the second leg of IPL 2021 as he chipped in with crucial knocks in important games. He was the one who hit the winning runs for KKR against Delhi capitals in the second qualifier to set up for finals clash against Chennai. However, Tripathi will now play for SunRisers Hyderabad in IPL 2022. The swashbuckling batter was roped in by the Hyderabad-based franchise for a whopping INR 8.5 crore. While Tripathi was happy to see fierce bidding for him at the IPL 2022 Mega auction, he also pointed out that his father always reminds remind him of not forgetting the ultimate goal which is to play for India.
“My dad always tells me that IPL is a great opportunity to play for India. He always told me wherever you go, whichever team you play for, money is secondary,” Tripathi revealed.